Snatch-block



(No Model.)

W. W. PATTERSON.

SNATUH BLOC-K.

No. 360,041. Patented Mar. 29, 1887.

FIG-.2.

WITNESSES: ,5 %WJ& M. J/, jizm.

ATTORNEY I UNITED STATES PATENT Grates.

"VILLI.A L\I \V. PATTERSON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SNATCH-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,041, dated March 29, 18F].

(No model.)

To (LZZ whom, it Huty concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM W. PATTER- sON, of Pittsburg, county of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Snatch- Blocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, concise, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in whichlike letters indicating like parts- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a snatch-block, showing my improvement; and Fig. 2 is a view in elevation showing the snatch-block open and givinga view of the block turned half-round.

My invention relates to what are known'as snatch-blocks for pulleys-that is, blocks so constructed that they will open to receive the bight of the rope without the trouble of reev ing the end through.

In the ordinary form of snatch-block as heretofore constructed great difficulty was experienced in'their use from the fact that when working on a heavy weight the sheave would bind, preventing the pulley from turning, and thus rendering the block practically useless.

Referring to the drawings to more clearly illustrate my meaning and my remedy for this trouble, the wood-work of the block as a whole isknown as the shell, ofwhichAis one ofthe sections, and B is the other, and an iron strap passes clear through the block, having fastened to it a hook above, and in my invention a ring, H, below, this strap being shown as O, and is suitably fastened to the inner side of the shell-section A, and the strap D in like manner is secured to the section B. In Fig. 1, F indicates the sheave turning on its axis, which is a bolt passing through the block. E is a key which retains the section B in its place when the snatch-block is closed. IVh ere no means of lateral support have been employed to stay the shell-sections A B apart when closed, when a heavy weight was placed on the rope passing over the pulley F it caused the side of the strap D to bear in upon the pulley, binding it so tightly as to prevent its turning with any degree of case. To remedy this evil, I have constructed the iron strap of the block with lateral braces G extending from one branch of the strap to the other above the pulley and holding the twochceks rigidly apart, and thereby preventing anybinding on the wheel F.

The pin I, which passes through the shellsections A B and sheave F, forms a support for said sheave, upon which it turns, and also forms a pivot for the section B.

The key E may be of any desirable form and construction, and is connected to the shellsection B by a suitable chain, L, said key in the present instance having a feather, J, the key passing through correspondingly-formed holes K M in the upper ends of the straps C D, and when the key is in the position as shown in Fig. 1 the shell-section B will be securely locked in place.

\Vhen it is desired to open the snatch-block, as shown in Fig. 2, the keyE is turned so that it can be withdrawn through the holes in the straps, and when the key is removed the section B can be turned laterally in either direction, rendering it much easier in its action than were it hinged to the stationary blocksection, as heretofore, while there are no hinges to become broken or out of order.

It will he noticed that the upper end of the strap 0 is bent at a double angle to form a guard, N, through which passes the key, and this bend also strengthens the upper end of the strap where most needed and at a point where the hook O is connected. Extending the strap 0 above and below the ends of the block or section A provides a very simple means for attaching thereto the ring and hook hereinbefore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a snatch-block, the combination, with a stationary and a pivoted shell-section of the block, of metal straps secured to the inner sides thereof, the strap of the stationary section extending above and below it, and having connected to its ends a hook and ring, respectively, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a snatch-block, a shell'section having a metal strap secured thereto, in combination with a pivoted shell-section having a metal strap provided at its upper end with inwardlyextending braces, substantially as and for the I purpose set forth.

3. In a snatch-block, a stationary shell-section provided with a metal strap having at its upper end a double bend to form a guard, and a hook secured thereto, in combination with a pivoted shell-section having a metal strap formed with inwardly-extending braces and 

